Inland waterways a game changer in national connectivity:Gadkari

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Describing the inland waterways development a game changer in national connectivity, Union Transport and Shipping Minister Nitin Gadkari said the move will cut down transportation cost as also road congestion.

Gadkari said that at present there are only five inland waterways and the central government has identified 106 more.

He said this would reduce the cost of transportation for goods and passengers, reduce road congestion as well as play a vital role in reducing pollution.

"This will also give a boost to tourism," he said addressing the Regional Editors Conference organised by the Press Information Bureau here.

The Minister for Road Transport Highways & Shipping, gave an overview of his Ministry's achievements as well as plans for future growth.

He said that the Narendra Modi government plans to construct 2000 water ports.

Gadkari further said hovercrafts and amphibious buses would be introduced to enhance the use of these inland waterways sea planes.

Beginning with shipping, he informed that while ports around the world had faced losses, Indian ports had shown a growth of 2.6 percent, earning profits of nearly Rs 6,000 crore.

At present the country has 12 ports and there are plans to add six more.

The minister briefly touched upon the Sagarmala Project whose port-led economic growth intends to give a boost to the coastal economy, as it would develop manufacturing hubs as well as promote fishing.